Velocipede.



No. 663,295.' Patented Dec. 4, I900.-

, E. H. NEUBERT.

VELOCIPEDE.

(Application filed Apr. 5, 1900.)

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Patented Dec. 4, I900.

E. H. NEUBERT. VELOCIPEDE.

(Application filed Apr. 5, 1900.1

2 Sheets8haet 2.

(No Model.)

W/TNESSE UNiTen STATES PATENT OFFICE ERNST I-IERRMANN NEUBERT, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

\IELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 663,295, dated De embe 4, 1900.

Application filed April 5, 1900. Serial No. 11,730. (No model.) I

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that LERNsT HERRMANN N EU- BERT, residing in Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Velocipedes,of which the following is a specification.

lWIy invention is an improvement in velocipedes, and has foran object, among others, to provide a velocipede which maybe driven by the hands of the operator and in which the grips held in the hands may be moved to set the clutch devicesinto and out of adjustment to key the wheels upon the drive-shaft.

The invention has for a further object to provide an adjustable platform to form a support for the operator, which platform may be conveniently raised and lowered by the operator while the velocipede is in use.

The invention has for further objects other improvements; and it consists in certain novel constructions and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my velocipede. Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof, parts being broken away and others shown in section. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view illustrating a portion of one of the spindles and the crank-arm adjacent thereto. Fig. 4 is a detail section on about line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view illustrating the brake device. Fig. 6 is a side view, partly broken away, of the stand containing the operating and detent devices for the platform-belts. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view, partly broken away, of the foot-plate. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of a portion of one of the detent-racks. Fig. 9 is a detail vertical section on about line 9 9 of Fig. 6. Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of the clutch mechanism, partly broken away; and Fig. 11 is a sectional side elevation of the clutch mechanism.

The drive-shaft A is provided at its ends with the spindles B, on which the wheels 0 are free to turn, and between its ends the shaft A is provided with the central portion D, on which is loosely fitted the sleeve D, against which the operator may rest in driving the machine. Between the central portion D and the spindles B the drive-shaft is provided with the cranks E, which are alike and have the wrists E and the outer arms E the latter connecting with the spindles B and being adjacent thereto, as shown.

Clutch devices are provided by which the wheels C may be held at will to the spindles of the drive-shaft, and these may consist of the construction shown, in which the wheels are provided with toothed wheels C, having their teeth C projecting inwardly, andasimilar wheel B is keyed on and slidable along the main shaft and has outwardly-projecting teeth B which may be set into and out of the wheel C, being actuated by a spring G.

Within the spindle B and held at its outer end at G to said spindle and at its inner end to a crosspin H, which extends through a slot H in the non-circular portion F of the shaft and connects at H with the sleeve F on the Wheel B. By this construction the spring G is connected with and is arranged to operate the Wheel B outward into engagement with the wheel C of the supporting-Wheels at all times except when the wheel B is actuated out of engagement with the wheel C, which may be effected in the manner which I will now describe. To this end I provide on the wrists E of the cranks Esleeves I, which are keyed to and movable longitudinally on the said wrists and are connected by a Wire I or other suitable device with the wheel B, so the latter may be drawn out of mesh with the wheel C, when desired, by the longitudinal movement of the sleeve I inwardly upon its wrist E.

I have shown the crank-arm E tubular, with the wire I extended through the same and connected with the cross-pin H, and this construction may be preferred, because thereby the operating parts are incased and not likely to get out of order. I also connect the wire I with the sleeve I by the adjustable connection consisting of the bolt I and the the sleeve I.

nut securing the same to afiangeorear upon The grip-sleeve J is fitted loosely upon the wrist E and is engaged with the sleeve I so it can readily turn upon the said sleeve and yet may be slipped inwardly u on the wrist E and will corres ondin lv P s shift the sleeve I by such operation.

By the described construction the drivewheel 0 may be clutched upon the drive-shaft and may be operated by turning said driveshaft as desired.

while driving the machine and may also be shifted longitudinally upon their supportingwrists to free either or both of the drivewheels 0, as may be desired. By this means the wheels C may be operated or either of said wheels may be freed in order toproperly guide the velocipede during the operation thereof.

A mud or dust guard K fits over the joint between the wheels B and C and is preferably secured to the wheel 0 and extended over the other wheel, as shown.

The operator stands upon a platform K and works the drive-shaft by his hands. The platform K is carried from the drive-shaft and is preferably adjustable vertically. To this end I employ the hangers L, having bearings at L for the drive-shaft, and the platform is provided near its ends with the upright portions K in the form of sleeves, which slide upon the hangers L, so the platform K can be raised or lowered. In its lowermostposition the Weight of theplatform K is borne by suitable m eans-it may be the chains L connected with the hangers L, as shown in Fig. 2. hile the platform may be adjusted up or down on the hangers L in various ways and secured in any desired adjustment by various devices,- I prefer the construction shown, and which I will now describe. In this construction belts M are secured at their outer ends to the hangers L, extend thence under suitable guides K on the platform K,and connect with suitable operating means whereby the belts may be tightened or drawn upon to elevate the plat form K or may be slackened to permit the said platform to lower to any desired degree. As shown, I employ a stand N, mounted upon the platform slightly to one side of the center and having the lower guides N and the upper guides N over which the belts M pass and connect with the treadle 0, so the latter may be depressed to elevate the platform K or released to slacken the belt and allow the platform to descend. 'In connection with the treadle and belts I employ detent devices for holding the treadle in anyadjustment to which it may be depressed. To this end I provide racks P in the stand N, which racks are engaged by pins 0 on the treadle O,such treadle being arranged to rock, so its lower end, which bears the pins 0, may be set to any desired position to adjust such pins 0 into and out of engagement with the racks P. It will be noticed the racks P are Further, the grip-sleeves J may be held in the hands of the operator;

, insO' into and out of en a ement with the D c z:

racks P.

Now in operation the treadle may be engaged with the foot by putting the latter in the loop 0 of the treadle, when if the platform be down the treadle will be elevated and the operator may press the treadle down in the stand N to any desired degree, such movement of .the treadle operating to elevatethe platform. If now it be desired to lower the platfomn, {the treadle may berocked by the foot to the dotted-line position shown in Fig. 9, when the weight of the platform will cause the same to readjust itself to its lowermost position, such operation being aided whenever necessary .by the pressnreof the other foot of ttheioperatoron the said platform.

I prefer to provide casingsiQover that portion of the belts which extends between the stand N and the upright portions K at the sides of the platform.

While I have referred itO the parts M as belts,.it should beiunderstood that I intend to include in such term any suitable flexible devices which may be adapted .or suitable for the purposes of such parts as before described.

In Fig. 1 and in detail, Fig. .5, I show a brake device comprising a plate R, extending rearwardly from the platform K, so it can be pressed bythe foot of the operator upon the ground to brakethe velocipede. This is done by the-rider stepping on and thusapplying superior pressure to the rear portion of the platform, so that the latter swings forward, it being held thus tilted at a slight angle until the rider steps forward and stands at or near its center. The .plate R is preferably of spring metal, fitting at R over the head at the rear edge of the platform K and having the forwardly-projecting bail R held by the bolt R to the. platform. This brake is simple in construction, can be quickly applied, and can be readily renewed when desired.

It may be desired in some instances tocounterpoise the platform, to which end I have provided a weight S, having a stem S heldin guides S on the platform,as shown in Fig. 1.

By the described construction it is evident the platform may be raised or lowered to suit the height of the operator and also to accommodate the machine to stones or other obstructions upon or conditionsof the roads on which the machine may be used.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A velocipede comprising a main shaft having drive-cranks, and spindles, wheels on said spindles, clutch devices by which the drive-wheels may be keyed to their spindles, grips on the drive-cranks and devices whereby the grips may operate the clutch devices for keying the wheels on the spindles substantially as set forth.

2. In a velocipede substantially as described, the combination of the drive-shaft having a drive-crank having its outer arm adjacent to the spindle hollow and having the hollow spindle whose interior communicates with that of the hollow outer arm of the drivecrank, the drive-wheel loose on the spindle and having a clutch-section, a clutch-section keyed on the spindle and movable into and out of mesh with the clutch-section of the drive-Wheel, the spring in the hollow spindle and arranged to set the clutch-section of the spindle into engagement with that of the drive-wheel, the grip movable longitudinally on the wrist of the drive-crank, the sleeve on said wrist and engaged with the grip whereby the latter may operate the sleeve longitudinally upon the wrist, and a connecting device extending from said sleeve through the hollow outer arm of the drive-crank and connected with the clutch-section of the spindle whereby to operate the same in opposition to its actuating-spring, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the drive-shaft having the spindle and the drive-wheel free thereon, of clutch devices including a clutchsection keyed on the drive-shaft and movable into and out of position to key the drivewheel on the spindle, a sleeve keyed to and movable on the wrist of the crank, connections between said sleeve and the aforesaid clutch section, and the grip engaged with said sleeve whereby to operate the. same substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of the drive-shaft having the hollow spindle and the drive-crank, the wheel free on the hollow spindle, a clutchsection keyed on the hollow spindle, a spring in the hollow spindle and connected with the clutch-section whereby to actuate the same into engagement with the drive-wheel, the grip on the wrist of the drive-crank, and connections between said grip and the clutchsection whereby the grip may operate the clutch-section in opposition to its spring, substantially as set forth.

5. A velocipede provided with devices whereby it may be operated by the hands, and below the same with a suspended platform and with foot-operated means whereby the same may be adjusted vertically.

6. A velocipede provided with a suspended platform and with foot-operated means by which the platform may be raised and lowered while the velocipede is in operation.

7. A velocipede provided with a suspended platform movable vertically and with belts connected with said platform and with operating devices whereby the said belts may be drawn upon to raise the platform substantially as set forth.

8. A velocipede provided with a platform,

belts connected with said platform, supports carrying said belts and means on the platform whereby the said belts may be drawn upon to elevate the platform, substantially as set forth.

9. In a velocipede, the combination of the platform, supports for said platform, belts connected at one end with said supports, operating means connected with the other ends of said belts, and detent devices whereby said operating means may be held in different. adjustments, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination in avelocipede of the vertically adjustable platform, supports therefor including belts and operating devices for drawing upon said belts including a stand, a treadle operating therein and racks for engagement by said treadle, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination in a velocipede of the vertically-adjustable platform, the belts for adjusting the same, the stand having racks and guides for said belts, and the rocking treadle connected with the belts and having pins or portions for engaging the racks, and above the same, means for guiding the treadle substantially as set forth.

12. In a velocipede substantially as described, the combination with the verticallyadjustable platform, of the stand N having racks P and flanges N, the belts, and the treadle connected with the belts and having portions 0 to engage the racks P, portions 0 operating within the flanges N and inwardly-projecting portions 0 substantially as set forth.

13. In a velocipede, the combination of the vertically-adjustable platform having an upright stand upon it, guides in said stand and on the platform for adjusting belts, the belts for carrying said platform, and the treadle operating in the stand and connected with and arranged to operate the belts substantially asset forth.

14:. The combination with the two opposite wheels and the connecting crank-axle, of the platform suspended from and arranged sufficiently below the axle to form a platform on which the operator may stand while operating the crank-axle by hand, and a rear extension or brake-shoe R secured to said platform and which is adapted to bear upon the ground when superior pressure is applied to the rear side of the platform, substantially as shown and described.

15. A velocipede provided with a platform, a frame in which said platform is movable vertically a treadle carried by the platform, and means connecting the treadle with the frame whereby the platform may be adjusted vertically during the operation of the machine, substantially as described.

ERNST HERRMANN NEUBERT.

Witnesses:

SoLoN O. KEMON, PERRY B. TURPIN.

ITO

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